Water

Store 1 gallon per person per day. That covers drinking plus a little for food and washing. Double it in hot weather, and for anyone pregnant, nursing or sick.

Pets need water too. Plan about 1 ounce per pound of body weight per day.

• Free: wash 2-liter soda bottles with soap and water, rinse well, fill from the tap, and cap tightly.
• Skip milk jugs. They break down and leak, and are hard to get fully clean.
• Store water somewhere cool and dark, away from chemicals and gasoline.
• Write the date on every container and replace tap water every 6 months. Unopened store-bought water keeps until its date.
• Before a storm, fill bathtubs, pots and every clean container. Use bathtub water for flushing and washing.
• Your water heater holds 30 to 50 gallons of clean water. Turn off its power or gas first, then drain from the valve at the bottom.

Boil

Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. Above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes. Let it cool, and pour it between two clean containers to improve the taste.

Unscented bleach

Use plain, unscented household bleach. Check the label for the strength.

Double the amount if the water is cloudy or very cold. Stir, then wait 30 minutes. The water should smell slightly of chlorine. If not, repeat and wait 15 more minutes.

Filters

Most portable filters remove bacteria and parasites but not viruses or chemicals. For lake or river water, filter it, then boil or treat it.

• Drink your water. Rationing drinking water is dangerous. Cut back on washing and cleaning first.
• Use paper plates and wipes so you don't need dishwater.
• Drink the liquid in canned fruit and vegetables.
• Choose no-cook foods so you're not boiling away drinking water.